Ladakh
means the land of high passes, also known as the land of endless discoveries,
the moon land. Due to its nearness and resemblance to the Tibetan culture it
is also called little Tibet. Ladakh is situated on the Northern part of India
at an altitude of 3500 m. making this the highest inhabited region in India.
The River Indus with its tributaries slice their way through the mountain range
of Ladakh. Ladakh is bounded by the Great Himalayas in the Karakoram ranges
and gifted with high mountain, valleys, lakes, beautiful ancient Buddhist monasteries
on hill top and their resident (monks) chanting prayers. Remote though it is,
Ladakh has never been totally isolated. Over the centuries the trade route from
India to central Asia passed through this area undeterred by its high passes
and desert landscape. Caravans carrying spices, brocades, pearls, carpets and
tea took just two months to cover the distance up to central Asian towns.

Day
01. Flight to India (Delhi)Around midnight arrival in Delhi. The cosmopolitan City and capital Delhi is the main gateway for travellers. You are met by an Indo Vacations representative and transferred to your Hotel.

Day
02. Delhi - Leh (by air)
In the morning a short flight brings us to Leh, the capital of Ladakh. Due to its altitude (3500 m.) Ladakh is also known as the roof of the world. Leh was an important place in the historical times on the silk road to central Asia.
The rest of the day is at leisure to acclimatize ourselves to the high altitude of
Leh.

Day
03. Leh Excursion: Thikse, Shey, HemisToday we start our excursion by visiting the monastery of
Thikse. Thikse is one of the most imposing monastery in Ladakh. The monastery has 12 stories, 10 temples, a nunnery and 60 lamas in residence. It contains numerous stupas, statues, tankhas, wall painting and a large pillar engraved with the teaching of
Buddha. We can also see here a collection of Tibetan scripts.
After the visit of Thikse we visit the village of Shey on the eastern bank of the Indus.
Shey was the royal residence and was located at an important vantage point in the
Indus valley. It has a large victory stupa which is topped with gold.
After the visit of the monastery of Shey we visit the monastery of Hemis. The rich monastery of Hemis is the biggest in Ladakh and is perched on top of a pleasant green hill surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery.

Thiksey

Hemis

Day
04. Leh
Excursion: Spituk, Phyang, Choglamsar
Today we start our day by visiting the monastery Spituk.
Spituk monastery (15th Century) is 8 km from Leh and is situated on a hilltop overlooking the Indus. Spituk valley has an enormous status of Kali whose face is unveiled once a year during the Spituk festival. This monastery also contains an ancient collection of masks. 135 yellow capped monks resides in this monastery.
After the visit of Spituk we shall proceed to the Gompa Phyang which is a traditional monastery setting for a spectacular religious festival with masked dancing. There are 50 red capped monks residing here.
After the visit of Phyang we have a stopover at the Choglamsar village where we have a look at that arts and crafts made by Tibetan refugees.

Day
05. Leh
- Lamayuru Lamayuru is 125 km away form Leh and is the oldest known Monastery (Gompa) which dates back to the 10th century and is overlooking the Indus river. This Monastery belongs to a Red Hat sect. Lamayuru is considered a sacred site for the Pre Buddhist religion known as the BON. There are renowned collection of carpets, thankas and
frescoes. Overnight stay in comfortable tent camp.

Day
06. Lamayuru - AlchiIn the noon we drive from Lamayuru to Alchi through the exciting landscaping of Ladakh. Alchi has been declared as an UNESCO monument. The Monastery of Alchi is a large temple complex and is regarded as one of the most important Buddhist centers in Ladakh and a jewel of monastic skill. In the afternoon we drive to the Monastery of Ridzong which also has a nunnery. We have a walk here in the beautiful surrounding of this area.
Overnight stay in comfortable tents.

Alchi

Lamayuru Treks

Day
07. Alchi - LehIn the noon we drive back from Alchi to Leh. Leh Palace in the NW has been described as a miniature version of
Lhasa's Potala palace, with which this 17th century building is contemporary. This Potala (palace) rises up like mountain. From the town below it is dazzling in the morning sun and ghostly at night. We enjoy the wonderful view of the city and beautiful surroundings from the roof of the palace. This palace was built by the King Singe Namagyal and still owned by the royal family. At present is this palace not occupied as the royal family resides in the other palace in stock.

Day
08. Leh - Delhi (by air)In the noon flight from Leh to Delhi.
In the afternoon we visit Bahai Temple, also known as
Lotus Temple which is built out of white marble and in the characteristic shape of a lotus flower. Bahai temples are 9 sided, symbolizing comprehensiveness, oneness and unity.
We visit this unique building which gives the message of unification of the human
race. The rest of the day at leisure.

Day
09. Delhi Today we have the sightseeing in Delhi. We take a
Rickshaw Ride parallel to the Red Fort through the old city and famous Silk Road and Silver Bazaar. Sightseeing of Old Delhi includes
"Rajghat", the site where
Mahatma Gandhi was cremated and
Jama Masjid, the great mosque of old Delhi.
Today we also visit the famous "Humayun Tomb". Humayun Tomb is the first substantial example of Mughal architecture in
India.
Before we proceed to the Hotel we drive through the embassy area in New Delhi where we visit the
India Gate and see some impressive Government Buildings.
After the Dinner and refreshment in the hotel we will be transferred to the Airport.

Qutub
Minar Delhi

India
Gate, Delhi

Day
10. Flight to HomeAround
midnight flight
from Delhi to home destination.

TourReservation
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About
Hotels:
We
provide you the accommodation as per your budget mentioned above in
the table of hotels category for any of the booked tour. Hotels
provided by us are from budget to luxury class hotels. Luxury hotels
are all five stars or of above standard. Deluxe would be a
combination of 3 and 4 star Hotels and standard would be a
combination of 2 and 3 star or similar hotels. The
criteria for selecting hotels by us remains the best value of your
money. We also provide you wherever possible accommodation in
heritage hotels. Heritage Hotels are old Palaces, Forts and Grand
mansions of Maharajas which have been later renovated and converted
into Hotels. Rooms are decorated all individually. Rooms are
comfortable, romantic and present the flair of olden Maharaja days.

Our
Services Include:
Accommodation in double rooms on twin sharing basis with bath and WC
in the
chosen category. Rooms
on the departure day.
American/continental Breakfast.
Services of qualified local guides (English speaking
or languages of your choice)
at every place of
sightseeing.
All
Transfers and departures on arrival and departure by Indo
Vacations
representative.
All Transfers and Sightseeing throughout the tour by an
air-conditioned Car with
driver. For groups an individual air-conditioned bus (Except
Standard Hotels) will be
provided.